4: Knocked Out

JENNA

I nodded and gave the man my best innocent look.

He curses under his breath, his eyes losing focus like it does when you’re mindlinking.

He rushes out of the cafe, probably off to deal with an emergency. I don’t wait until the door closes before I gather my stuff, the lady isn’t by the counter, so I just drop a bill for her.

I head to the door, looking for the nearest opening to the woods then I run in that direction.

I don’t make it far before I hear someone shout for me, then they start following me.

I’m tired from last night and the tea and pie only satisfied me to some degree but I keep running.

We’ve gotten into a darker and thicker part of the woods. I have to look around and be careful so as not to hit myself or end up tripping.

I’ve put a bit of distance between me and the men that were following me. It isn’t so far that I could take a moment and rest. I need to keep moving.

Something hits me out of nowhere and it makes my ankle bend in the wrong way. I bite my lip to stifle out the cry of pain.

I don’t stop, with my ankle hurting and my lungs tight. With no way for me to breathe and the pain rocking through my entire system, and my vision blurry.

A cry is torn from my chest as my body finally gives out and I drop to the floor with a thud.

I fall into a puddle, the liquid soaking through my clothes. Or was that my blood?

My vision clears before becoming bleary again. I hear the crunching of leaves and soon footsteps.

“What is that?” A voice says, sounding faraway.

I wanted to cry out for help, but my mouth felt too heavy. A shadow stands over me, but before I could make out who it is, everything goes back.

I wake up to the sound of a heart monitor.

If Jason is paying a stupid prank on me again, I swear I’m—

The strong smell of disinfectants tells me I’m not in my bed, and this isn’t one of the pranks Jason and I play on each other.

Speaking of Jason, the tug in my chest when I think of him reminds me of all that happened last night.

Last night. My eighteenth birthday when I’d found out he was my mate and he rejected me.

My memories return, from running away from my pack, ending up as a rogue and entering another pack’s territory.

My memories were vague, but I could recall something hitting me and me talking to the ground. There was someone over me, or was it just the trees that I thought was someone?

Wait, if it was the trees then who brought me to the hospital?

Before I could go crazy with all the questions running through my mind, the door gets pushed open.

I sit up sharply, regretting it instantly when my head throbs. The anxiety I’m feeling doesn’t let me dwell on that.

I study the woman that walks in. She has dark brown hair with streaks of gray and she looks like she is in her forties or fifties.

“You’re awake?” Her voice is a little raspy as she speaks, and she tries to give me a warm smile.

I ball my hands into tight fists, pushing myself back on the bed.

She notices my discomfort and stops coming close.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you nervous.” She says, holding her hands up.

I still don’t speak and I don’t let go of my balled fists.

I study her like you would a predator coming for you. Staying on edge and waiting for the slightest move that shows they are about to attack so you’ll run.

She doesn’t make any move for a few seconds. She studies me as much as I’m studying her. Though there is nothing predatory about her stance, I choose to stay on guard.

“I found you passed out on the road. I’m sorry one of my grandkids hit you with a stone.” She says with a regretful shake of her head. “Those kids are like wild animals.”

I only watch her as she talks about them, with a hint of adoration in her tone. She loves them. I could tell from the way she spoke.

“The doctor’s said you were fine. Thankfully you didn’t have a concussion when you fell.” She tilts her head to the side. “Can you talk?”

I stare at her blankly and she makes a sound at the back of her throat.

“Well, this is going to be slightly challenging.” she sighs. “I’m going to go and call the doctor. Your bag is in my car, I’ll get it for you after I call him.” she moved her hands animatedly with each word.

She turns and walks out of the room. I heave a sigh of relief and move my legs. I check over the rest of my body. I didn’t have any other injuries, save for the bandaid on any head, to my forehead.

I guess what she is saying is right.

The only thing I could say I felt was utter fatigue. I feel like I need to sleep for two more days to feel better.

I was planning where to go next after I leave here, when the door opened and the woman walked back in, this time with a doctor in tow.

The doctor was also a woman, though she couldn’t be older than thirty.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Hannah, I’ll be treating you today.” She puts away her clipboard as she gives me a small smile. “So we have ruled out the possibility of a concussion, but I still need to ask you some questions.”

I stare at her without blinking.

“Just nod if you can understand what I’m saying.” Dr. Hannah spoke, watching me expectantly.